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"The nervous anticipation is over and reality dawns, I am now the National President of SAIF."

This is an honour I am proud to receive and you can be assured I shall make every effort to represent the membership to the best of my abilities in what, I feel, is most important for SAIF's future.

Firstly, on your behalf, I should like thank my predecessor Justin Burgess for his hard work throughout his year in office. Ably assisted, on many occasions, by his wife Emma, Justin has travelled many miles representing SAIF at regional meetings, dinners and other funeral related events throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Hopefully, by the time you read this his travelling companion, Bearer the Bear, will have been freed from captivity giving Justin's Presidential year a happy ending.

So what of the year ahead?

I am under no illusions as to how important the next twelve months is for the membership of SAIF. I have chosen as my theme for the year, ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS. The aim is to be more proactive for you the member, to raise SAIF's profile, and that of the Independent Funeral Director, to the public and to dispel the myth that SAIF only exists for those funeral directors in the south.

So how do we achieve this?

We shall continue with the present round of regional meetings, giving you the opportunity to meet with your fellow members and to tell us what concerns you have in your area and allow us the chance to work with you in resolving them.

SAIF is coming to a place near you! For the first time, an Independents Day will be held in Wales on 5 th June. I would hope that, in addition to our Welsh members, those from the Midlands and South West and further afield might be able to join us for this event. Another Independents Day will be held in October, this time at High Disley, near Stockport.

It has been decided to broaden the role of our Administration Manager, Linda Jones to encompass the role of Membership Development. Many of you will have met Linda at various events or spoken to her on the telephone at the Business Centre. She will be taking time out of the office to follow up on membership enquiries and to visit and support existing members.

Member benefits have increased over the years. Have you looked to see how these can help you?

Please remember SAIF is here to support you, but to do so effectively we must have feedback and communication from you. Mervyn, Linda, Tina and Lesley at the Business Centre will be pleased to deal with any enquiry you may have on any matter relating to the funeral profession, this is your trade association, make use of it!!!

LET'S MAKE OUR FUTURE SAIF!!

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